Russian bans entry to 13 Canadian officials

OTTAWA - Russia on Monday slapped an entry ban on 13 Canadian lawmakers and officials, including House of Commons Speaker Andrew Scheer and government House leader Peter Van Loan, in retaliation for Canadian sanctions over Ukraine.

Russia's Foreign Ministry called the move a response to Canadian travel bans and economic sanctions imposed earlier on a number of Russian officials — "unacceptable action by the Canadian side that has inflicted serious damage to bilateral relations," the ministry said in a statement.

The move follows Canada's decision to act in unison with the U.S. to introduce sanctions targeting members of Russian President Vladimir Putin's entourage following Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region.

"Canadian officials named today by Russia aren't oligarchs or threatening to annex parts of peaceful neighbours by military force," the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Speaking from The Hague, where he is attending a nuclear security summit with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird echoed Liberal MP Irwin Cotler in describing the sanctions as a "badge of honour."

"Any country who thinks that in the 21st century you can simply rewrite the borders of Europe is wrong, and it's of deep concern," Baird said.

"None of the people listed today are threatening the territorial integrity or sovereignty of the Russian Federation. I think it also says we've certainly got the attention of those in the Kremlin."

Russian retaliation was bound to come, said NDP Leader Tom Mulcair.

"It's a sign that we are heading into an era of much chillier relations, but it was predictable. And frankly, if that's the price to pay to start sending a message to Putin, so be it."